A photo taken by a patron at Steamer's Pub in Bay City the morning of May 2 appears to show a Bay City Police Chevrolet Tahoe parked facing the wrong way. The man posted the photograph to Facebook, an act which attorney Jason P. Gower says set off a series of events that led to three officers being suspended.

BAY CITY, MI — Authorities aren't sharing details about what led to the recent suspensions of three Bay City public safety officers. But a Bay City attorney claims the action stems from an altercation the officers had with his client.

None of the officers — Don Aldrich, Brian K. Ritchey and Keath B. Bartynski — have been cited or charged with any wrongdoing. The three were placed on paid administrative leave following a citizen's complaint related to an alleged incident on May 2, Director Michael J. Cecchini said.

Bay County attorney Jason P. Gower said Tuesday, June 11, that he is representing a 39-year-old man who filed the complaint against the officers.

Gower said his client, who wants to remain anonymous, was at Steamer’s Pub, 108 N. Linn St., the night of May 1.

The man went outside to smoke and noticed a police Chevrolet Tahoe, allegedly driven by Ritchey, parked facing the wrong way, Gower said. The man took a photo of the Tahoe and uploaded it to Facebook with the caption, “Bay City’s finest illegally parked so they can flirt with a Bay City bartender, keep it up Brian Ritchie [sic] you’re doing our city proud.”

Gower claims Ritchey entered the bar and confronted the man together with Aldrich, who was at Steamer's off duty. Gower said his client videotaped the incident with his phone.

A short time later, Bartynski arrived at Steamer’s while on duty. Gower claims the officer shoved his client against the wall and other officers took him outside, where he was placed in handcuffs and searched.

The officers later released the man, who was then unable to find his phone, Gower said. Two of the officers told the man they gave the phone to the bartender, but the bartender denied receiving the phone, Gower claimed. The phone has not been recovered.

The officers left and Gower's client re-entered Steamer’s, Gower said. Shortly thereafter, a police sergeant arrived and took witnesses’ statements and gave the man a ride home.

During business hours that same day, a different police sergeant interviewed Gower's client at Gower’s law office, Gower said.

The man subsequently filed a citizen’s complaint with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

Cecchini said he could not confirm or deny Gower's assertions. He said that the criminal investigation has been completed and reports have been sent to the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The director said he expects the internal investigation to wrap by the end of the week.

Gower and his client met with Cecchini the morning of Tuesday, June 11.

“He’s assured us it’s going to be dealt with accordingly,” Gower said of Cecchini. “He’s handled it in the utmost professional way. And we don’t want to disparage any of the other officers of the Bay City Public Safety Department."

Dan Kuhn is business agent for the Police Officers Association of Michigan, the union representing the three officers. He said he wants to see the final investigation reports before commenting. And he said Gower's claims amount to accusations.

“Unless the alleged victim’s counsel has done an investigation of his own, he doesn’t have the facts, either,” Kuhn said. “Therefore, drawing conclusions or making allegations is a little premature.”

For his part, Gower said he and his client are waiting until the criminal and internal matters are resolved before deciding if they will file a civil lawsuit against the three officers.

Gower said he expects the department will reimburse the man for the cost of his phone without a suit needing to be filed.

“We’re obviously seeking restitution for the personal property and there’s obviously an amount of damages that can’t be measured,” Gower said. “The phone had over 2,000 photos, his daughter’s first dance recital video on there, several years’ of photos he just never backed up."